Final answer:
Mark Twain uses hyperbole in his vivid descriptions of New England weather, emphasizing the extreme heat by comparing the sun's rays to those concentrated through a burning-glass, and conveying the chill of cold weather as piercing through the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hyperbole used by Mark Twain in the first paragraph to make his point about New England weather is his vivid description of the summer heat. He describes the sun's rays as if they were "concentrated through a burning-glass," suggesting an extreme intensity that goes beyond reality. This exaggeration serves to highlight the oppressive nature of the warmth. Twain goes on to elaborate on the polished appearance of the pavement stones and the red bricks, likening them to being in dry, hot kilns, and the roofs of omnibuses hissing and smoking as if water were poured on them. All of these descriptions collectively use hyperbole to emphasize the extreme and almost unbearable heat that Twain experiences.
Additionally, when Twain talks about the cold, he uses hyperbolic details to describe how the chill goes right through the body in a way that one might feel they would never be warm again. Such vivid descriptions and imagery not merely paint a picture of the climate but also imbue the narrative with a sense of urgency and discomfort. These literary tools help Twain convey a deeper understanding of his surroundings and the feelings they evoke.